Item Levels

[Jerbob]

Expand equipment variation laterally
This would be preserving the original style of the game up until now.
Keeping relics, mythics, and empyreans at the top, add gear that can be used depending on the situation without creating higher tiers of equipment. No changes to the level 99 cap.


Boost equipment variation vertically
This is the current plan.
Add equipment that surpasses relics, mythics, and empyrean. Player level cap of 99 remains unchanged, but growth takes place via equipment.

This is the root of the problem I have with the whole item level idea. Vertical progression is a TERRIBLE idea for FFXI. As you've already said, it destroys how things have worked for the entirety of the game so far. I understand that you guys want to mix things up a bit and do something radical, but this really is not appropriate. The horizontal progression in FFXI is something extremely positive about the game - sure, it has some drawbacks, but everything does, and as a design paradigm it generally works. I can dabble in a few events, do something different each day or week, and work towards things that aren't mutually excusive while having fun in a varied game.

I do not want to have to replace all of my new equipment every 2 months. I do not want to exclusively spam one piece of content forever in order to move up to the next tier which is already outdated by the time I reach it. I do not want the people I play with who have more or less time than me to perpetually be several "gear tiers" above or below me. I do not want to feel like I'm constantly "in a race" to stay ahead of the New Content Wave, lest I be drowned in the next update and forced down the gear tiers.

I appreciate the in-depth description that you have provided for us, but my answer is No, I do not want this.